Overview of 1 Corinthians
A. INTRODUCTION (1:1-9)
B. THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY IN THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION (1:10–4:21)
1. Factors contributing to unity and disunity (1:10–2:16)
Following humans results in divisions (1:10-17)
Recognizing Christ, the power and wisdom of God (1:18-25)
Boasting only in Jehovah, not in humans (1:26-31)
Preaching like Paul, not with extravagant speech or wisdom (2:1-5)
Recognizing the superiority of God’s wisdom (2:6-10)
Receiving the spirit that is from God; being a spiritual man (2:11-16)
2. Cooperating with God to make the congregation grow and be united (3:1-23)
3. Further admonitions that contribute to unity (4:1-21)
C. KEEPING THE CONGREGATION MORALLY CLEAN (5:1–6:20)
D. COUNSEL REGARDING MARRIAGE AND SINGLENESS (7:1-40)
1. Advice for the married and the unmarried (7:1-24)
Marriage due should be rendered but with consideration (7:1-7)
Marriage is better than singleness for those who are inflamed with passion (7:8, 9)
Married Christian not to depart from unbelieving mate; may eventually help the mate to gain salvation (7:10-16)
Each one to remain in the state in which he was called (7:17-24)
2. The unmarried and the widows (7:25-40)
E. CONSIDERATION FOR THE SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF FELLOW BELIEVERS (8:1–11:1)
1. About food offered to idols (8:1-13)
2. Paul’s example as an apostle (9:1-27)
3. Warning examples from Israel’s history (10:1-22)
4. Using Christian freedom in a considerate way (10:23–11:1)
“All things are lawful, but not all things build up” (10:23, 24)
Showing consideration for the conscience of others (10:25-30)
Doing all things for God’s glory; imitating Paul and Christ (10:31–11:1)
F. INSTRUCTIONS FOR ORDERLY WORSHIP IN THE CONGREGATION (11:2–14:40)
Respect for Christian headship; principle of head covering (11:2-16)
Showing respect for the Lord’s Evening Meal (11:17-34)
Gifts of the spirit (12:1-11)
One body, many members (12:12-31a)
Love—a surpassing way (12:31b–13:13)
Gifts of prophecy and of tongues (14:1-25)
Maintaining orderliness at Christian meetings (14:26-40)
G. THE CERTAINTY OF THE RESURRECTION HOPE (15:1-58)
The resurrection of Christ (15:1-11)
Resurrection the basis for faith (15:12-19)
Christ’s resurrection a guarantee; God will be all things to everyone (15:20-34)
With what sort of body are the dead to be raised up? (15:35-49)
Immortality and incorruption (15:50-57)
Plenty to do in the Lord’s work (15:58)
H. CONCLUDING REMARKS (16:1-24)